YOU GUYS!!!!!!!
LAST NIGHT WAS THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE... I had the SHITTIEST day ever, everything that couldNT have gone wrong DID go wrong... I was sooo upset and frustrated... I was supposed to have arrived in Pitts at 2:30pm but got stuck in DC b/c the plane was delayed for some last minute maintenance... Do you know how hard it was to sit in that stupid airport for 5 hours when Im on my way to see a BM concert?! I was so pissed I wanted to murder someone!!! They were saying I wasnt gonna leave til *hopefully* 4pm.... I threw a fit at that airport, went up to the supervisor and said he'd better get my ass to pittsburgh by 5 o'clock I dont care if he had to drive my ass there himself.
He managed to get me on another flight that was confirmed for 4pm (and wasnt fucking up!). Well, turns out even that one left a little bit later. When I sat on the plane I called Mere, she told me the guys were staying at the same hotel and whatnot and I was wishing so bad I was there already. It was a short flight but when we landed and I go to get my phone to call Mere... IT WAS GONE! I couldnt believe it, I had talked to her from the plane and had NO ONE'S NUMBERS!!! It was past 5:30 when I went to the lost and found and by then Im just in tears... I was feeling so frustrated, so afraid Id miss everything! Turns out they never did find my phone and I called my mom to get on the forum and get Mere's number for me (which is when you saw "me" online Matt). Couldnt get ahold of her so I just hopped on a cab and headed to the venue. I showed up with a huge packback and a little suitcase, everyone staring at me!
I felt so cool though when I went up to the lady and said "Im with the band", I made sure I said it real loud so everyone around me could hear it!
jk. The lady probably thought I was a part of the crew or something b/c of the suitcase and she's all trying to explain to me how to get backstage
Anyway, the opener hadnt started yet so I walked around met Mere, Neil, Karen, Keith and a few others, saw Tricia, China, 3arman and a few other vigil peeps. It kinda sucked that we couldnt drink on the floor, you had to go upstairs but who wants to be upstairs and far away during a BM show right?
So with Neil's help I ordered a few drinks, poured them into an apple juice bottle (they're good for you, you know) and then I was ready. Dusty Rhodes and the River Band were great, I think if I had seen them at any other night I would have really LOVED it but of course everyone was just counting down the minutes to see the boys. I hadnt seen any of them yet so it was reeeeeally hard to keep my cool... Their cover of The Band was a big plus, those guys are really good at what they do!
Ok so it starts getting closer to 8 and the place starts getting crowded. Karen, Mere and I could not stop grinning! Mere was little Miss Popular, but I'll let her tell you about her encounters cause I dont want to ruin it for her. Then Hello Goodbye starts and the boys come down the stairs, bright lights everywhere, ahhhhh that was heaven right there. We were right in front of Rogers most of the time and he kept throwing his feet everywhere, missing our heads by inches every time
We sung our lungs out, it was just BEAUTIFUL! The mic coulda been louder, I couldnt hear Travis too well but maybe it was just the spot I was sitting at. They all looked SOOOOO HAPPY, singing along and grinning just as much as we were. They played LAST LAUGH!!!! That was really intense. They also did Skinned which was sooooo much fun and I think everything else was the same as most shows. Mere and Karen got setlists, but they're not in the right order. When they came back for the encore I went to the center cause that looked like a lot of fun but I forgot I was barefoot and so now my feet are all purple from everyone jumping on it ;D During Time Travis held the mic to this guy right next to me and I guess at some point he must put it in front of me cause Karen said she could hear me... LOL How embarassing, Im sure I sounded like shit!
Nel came on stage and said that she was really glad they had picked the right guy and that she knows Shannon would love Travis because she does already. She mentioned "tomorrow" being 12 yrs since Shannon passed away and then she couldnt talk anymore. Half the audience was crying by that point, it was just so much to take in one night!
I have to say you guys, that no matter what I or anyone else says here, you will never realize just how incredible seeing those guys is until you experience it. It's not just the music, it's the vibe, the crowd, the smiles, the hugs, the LOVE man!
Anyway, they were done by 9:45 b/c the place was going to turn into some lame dance club. So we all left and hung out by the bus. The boys were all completely surrounded by people so I didnt want to add to the crowd so I stood back and hung out with Tricia, Nel, China, etc and waited til it cleared a little. Next thing I know everyone is gone except for Christopher! So Karen and I ran to him and asked him to sign my Blind Melon skirt (which I'll show you guys pictures of in a sec) and he did, then we took a picture and talked for a good 15 minutes. He is SOOOO ADORABLE I just wanted to squeeze him and take him home with me. I told him about how much it means to us and all that cliche stuff (but it came from the heart) and he just wouldnt have that, he kept saying that we were the most amazing fans and that he had NO IDEA we were still going strong after so many years, etc. I told him about Barb, Paul and Vince coming from Europe and he goes: "is that those guys that were talking about getting a motorhome?" He really loved the idea of us following them, he seemed
really excited about it! We asked him about the Mamoth Sessions and he was really surprised that people have been hunting for it for so long. He said he has it and would send it to us (I said Id annoy the crap out of him on myspace till he did
) and that we might already have it in bits and pieces and not realize (The Pusher and Ever had the Feeling). He also mentioned telling Shannon to just play one day and "see how long you can keep it up for" and recording it all. He plans on sharing that with us ;D ;D ;D
We hung out some more and I met Tennessee (Travis's mom) who is a SWEETHEART, soooo sweet and proud of her boy
Then Travis was back so I got him to sign my skirt, take a picture and asked him about that line to Hypnotized we were all unsure of. He said anytime we have questions about lyrics or anything else to feel free and msg him on myspace. Also that they plan on being in TX real soon, YAY ;D
Eventually they all came back except for Glen (I heard somewhere that he was being chased by girls and just ran into the bus
). Rogers was REALLY cool too, talked to us for so long about Brazil, the vigil, his baby girl, the new album, etc etc etc. Brad seemed really tired so I just got him to sign my skirt and take a picture, then we made a little fun of him and let him go
Btw guys, that was to be Nel's last show, she is probably on her way home right now. She said the guys invited her to go on the bus with them but she's just too tired, she's been on the road for awhile she says she's like their groupie
The next morning (I got 1 hr sleep) the hotel guy called a cab for both Tennessee and I and we shared a ride to the airport. She shared a bunch of cool little facts about Travis, his siblings, hometown, etc. Very cool, I cant get over how sweet she is!
The plane ride back home was alright, Im sad but not TOO much because I KNOW it wont be long before I see those guys again. What an incredible concert and kind guys! Thank you, thank you all that were a part of it!!!!!!
Thank you Mere and Neil for the ride and the bed, you guys are sooooooo awesome it was wonderful finally meeting you and I cant wait to see you again!
Karen you are sooo sweet, everytime I looked at you you were like this ;D Thanks for everything, better be seeing you real soon as well!
Keith, Dylan, Matt, Debra, I loved meeting you all! Wish we coulda hung out more but I hope everyone made it home safe and sound! Take care and I hope to be seeing you all of you real soon! And you too 3arman!!!!
Ok, I doubt everyone made it this far but if you did, sorry Im not very good at descriptive writing.. Im uploading the pictures now and didn't get any videos b/c my camera is fucked.